‘Going in cold’ to homes of new patients with very little prior knowledge in order to assess end-of-life care needs and report back to all concerned. Difficult as environment usually not suited to end-of-life care.

After death care

Liaising with family, GPs and funeral homes to initiate post death proceedings

Remaining with and comforting carers until body removed from home

Advocacy

Safeguarding, passing on to higher authorities any abuse of patients and carers detected during night time conversations

Acting as buffers between large families and patients who needed to rest